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This chapter was hard to write... anyway, here it is ~~

Chapter 5

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Evie's POV

I watched as Roran bid goodbye to the new girl, Akia. I think I hate her. She has absolutely no seriousness, and she is also one of the darkness, which I deduced from the fact that she has the same colored eyes as Roran. 

I want him to trust me.. I took care of him when he was injured.. isn't that enough of a deed to gain one's trust?

I thought about why Roran was acting this way towards me, the only person that cares for him. I knew that Roran and I must hunt both the traitor, and the false brother(?). I think heard him mention something about that once...

That's when I realized that I haven't asked him about his story, I never once talked to him about who he was, and what he was... 

With my many mistakes in mind, I think I've become scared. I found that this new Akia girl seems to be comfortable around Roran, and Roran seems to trust her as well. I remembered the scene of Roran putting the collar around my neck, and his words -- "I don't forgive betrayal."

I shuddered again at the thought.

I don't want to be abandoned.. I'm sorry Roran.. I'll try to make up for my mistakes.. don't leave me for that other girl..

I complained about myself, as I followed Roran out of the guild, and into the crowded marketplace.

I watched his back, and I didn't mutter a word. 

I looked down at the ground, saddened by the fact that I will be replaced.

I lifted my face, and found no sign of Roran.

I faintly smiled, and a tears rolled down my cheek. 

This is what I get for being an useless slave.. I'm not needed anymore..  

Just as the thought crossed my mind, someone grabbed my arm, and I saw that it was Roran. He had a worrying expression on his face, and said, "Hey, where are you looking? I can't afford to lose you here now.." 

I didn't respond. I only looked back into his eyes. 

Roran wiped the tears off of my face, and sighed, "Do you need me to carry you?"

I lightly nodded, and smiled.

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Roran's POV

My heart sunk a little when I saw Evie standing there in the middle of the crowd...

I watched as Evie's eyes seemed to slowly return from their previous lifelessness, as I offered to pick her up. 

I gave her a piggyback, and thought,

Hmm... Evie seems to be out of it for some reason.. did I do something wrong? Maybe the collar was a bad idea.. WAIT. What am I thinking.. I don't think I want to suffer another betrayal, so I can't be softhearted...

I lightly laughed at my predicament, and continued, "Evie, let's get you some armor."

Her expression brightened immediately at my words, and she exclaimed, "Yes!"

I followed the map that was given to me by the inn clerk, and I was taken to a suspicious looking store. The shack was made of wood, and it was fully painted black. At first I wasn't sure if the map was correct, but a man opened the door in front of me, and said, "Are you looking for a blacksmith?"

I nodded, and he let us in. I took a look around, and found that there were piles of weapons on the floor -- and all of them seem to be basic, lvl 1 items. 

At this scene, I asked, "Do you have any armor or custom weapons?" 

The man responded, "Oi! Take it a bit slower.. Haha. My name's Keith. Nice to meetcha. Oh, and yes, we do have armor and some higher grade weapons."

I apologized, and introduced myself, and Evie.

"I'm looking for some armor for Evie. Can you show me the ones you have?"

Keith eyed Evie for a second, and said, "Lemme take a look. Uhh... Gimme a sec. "

He shuffled through a large box, and dejectedly said, "Sorry, I don't think we have any in her size... I can make one for her though. I'll be expensive."

I looked the man straight in the eyes, and said, "I'll pay 2 gold for a custom-made lightweight steel-alloy armor. Don't cheap up on the materials. Those are my conditions."

"Alright. I'll get it done in a day. I already have some pretty neat materials on hand. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll need her measurements.."

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I looked at Evie and she shot a glare at Keith.

Keith stiffened, and continued, "D...don't worry. I won't do anything wrong.. right Roran?"

I looked at him and said, "Don't ask me.. this is your problem now.."

I paid Keith the two gold, and with my 80 silvers left, I asked Keith to bring me some katanas. 

Keith looked troubled, "For 80 silvers, sorry. I can only get you the smaller katanas -- the Wakizashi -- the one handed ones.."

Sh*t. I originally planned to buy a two handed one... but it seems that with the money I have now, this is all I can afford... Ok time for some bartering.

I sighed at the thought, and asked Keith about one particular one-handed Katana that was laid across the floor. The blade was in pure black, with violet-colored wavy lines going across it. The hilt was especially beautiful. It was a dark brown - natural wood, with the wrapping being a darker pale-blue. On the end of the hilt, there was a silver chain that reached about 3 meters long.

He sighed, and said, "This is a very expensive companion sword. It was designed to kill, and it was passed on from murderer to murderer. Because of its long history, no one wants to buy it because of its dark 'aura' or something.. I don't get it. It looks great in my eyes."  

I agreed, and asked him to sell it to me. He agreed, and reluctantly continued, "Uhhh..Well.. How about this? I'll give you the weapon that goes with this.. no extra fee. BUT. In exchange, you need to only use my store as the only smithy you'll go to in order to buy weapons and armor. Agreed?"

The deal seemed to be going well, since the weapon that goes with the one I bought looked equally beautiful. Instead of a purple outlining on the blade, it used bright red. It shared the same characteristics, in the sense that it also had a 3-meter long chain attached. I thought I would just remove it off the one I bought at first, but it seems like this was supposed to be designed this way.

I agreed to the conditions, and realized that I didn't have any armor. I set that fact aside, and tied the chain end of the two swords onto my arms, and sheathed them into their respective scabbards. 

I waved goodbye to Keith, and asked Evie, "Hopefully you'll like the armor he makes.. if not, I'll be talking to him."

Evie smiled, and followed behind me. 

I entered Jak's Inn, and I saw Akia waiting for me in my room. 

Wait, how did she get into my room... I thought there was at least a lock on this door...

I greeted Akia, and immediately asked her the one question that I was thinking about when she was in the black room with me, before I was summoned.

"Akia, why did the Death God summon you here? I mean... you just don't look the part.. "

She faintly laughed, and said, "Yea, you really don't know me. I was killed before the Death God called to me.. I was a normal girl.. at least I considered myself one. I was bullied every day at my school, and I didn't like it. My friend came to me, offering her help. She fought with the people that bullied me, and accidentally killed one. She then came to me, asking me to dispose of the body, since it was my 'problem'. I reluctantly agreed. I brought the body to an alleyway, but the police found me. I think they thought I was doing something aggressive, so they shot me. "

I was shocked for a second, but said "H...how can you stay so positive?"

"Yea.... I sometimes wonder how as well.. but I know one thing for sure. I like to think that staying positive, even during the bad times, can bring a person salvation."

I watched her in awe. She's gone through betrayal in her life before, but still can stay strong, and work towards a new goal. 

Though I don't know what her new goal is, she is an amazing person. I can't wait to see her in action tomorrow, against the 5- Headed Hydra.

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Next Chapter: Hydra - Chapter 6